Getting between New York JFK and the city

John F Kennedy International Airport is New York’s largest airport and just 19 miles (30km) southeast of Manhattan. It has six terminals – Terminals 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 (Terminals 3 and 6 were demolished in 2011 and 2013 to expand Terminal 5). Terminal 4 is a major international terminal and acts as the international hub for Delta Airlines, while British Airways mainly flies into Terminal 7.

TRAIN

One of the easiest ways to get to Manhattan is via Airtrain and metro or Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Airtrain departures are every five to 12 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on your destination in Manhattan, take the train from one of several stops at JFK and change to metro line E at Jamaica Station or line A at Howard Street Station (US$7.75 for both metro and Airtrain). Journeys take 50-75 minutes. Slightly faster but more expensive, the LIRR goes to Penn Station from Jamaica Station (US$15 including Airtrain) and takes 35 minutes in total.

If you are staying in New York City for an extended time, it makes sense to buy a Metrocard, which allows you to take an unlimited number of subway and bus rides for seven days (US$32) or 30 days (US$121). For more information visit panynj.gov/ airports/jfk-airtrain.html

TAXIS, CAR SERVICES AND SHUTTLES

A taxi from JFK to Manhattan costs a f lat rate of US$52 (including tolls). Alternatively, if you pre-order a car service, such as HEC Airport Transfer (hec-airporttransfer.co.uk), to meet you at the airport, you may pay more, but you’ll avoid the queues and can make sure you have a large enough vehicle if you’re travelling in a group.

Another option is to take a shuttle (minibus) such as Go Airlink NYC (goairlinkshuttle. com), which has shared transfers from JFK starting at US$18 and runs 24 hours.

NYC Airporter (nycairporter. com) offers transportation between Penn Station, Port Authority and Grand Central to JFK for US$16. The service operates every 30 minutes from 5am to 11.30pm.

The Super Shuttle (supershuttle.com) offers shared rides 24 hours a day via minibus, private car or SUV. Fares vary depending on the destination and which service you choose. All taxis and shuttle services will pick you up from arrivals outside of your terminal.

UBER

JFK has dedicated space in the Limo and Cell Phone Lot for Uber drivers to park while they wait to receive ride requests. When using Uber, you can meet your driver outside arrivals at your terminal. The price can vary depending on the vehicle type or size and ranges between US$54 and US$139.

TIPPING

It’s normal to tip taxi drivers between 10 and 15 per cent. As a general rule, if anyone helps with your bag at the airport, in a taxi or at the hotel, the recommended tip is US$1 to US$2 per bag.

LUGGAGE

JFK doesn’t have its own luggage delivery services but you can book this service online with a courier such as Roadflex (roadf lexdelivery.com/longisland-couriers/same-day-newyork-city-baggage-courierdelivery-specialists). Prices vary depending on what is being collected and where it’s being delivered to.

The airport does have luggage storage locations in Terminals 1, 4 and 8, which cost between US$4 and US$18 per day depending on the size of the baggage and which luggage store you use.

It’s normal to tip taxi drivers between 10 and 15 per cent. If anyone helps with your bag at the airport, in a taxi or at the hotel, the recommended tip is US$1 to US$2 per bag